Course Description

“Good Sabbath!” Hardly a greeting heard much among Christians gathering for worship. Even the term, Sabbath, may sound “ancient” to some or “curious” to others. This course is an invitation to reflect on the implications of Sabbath for contemporary living. Does the Sabbath speak to us in our lives in Jesus Christ? Is Sabbath good for you, for us? We will consider four key themes of Sabbath, one each week. These themes include memory (remember), rest, renewal and relationship. In both personal and shared explorations, we will view a video, engage in discussion and reflect on our understandings of work, rest and the way we live each day. Is there something in the spirit of Sabbath that speaks to our souls, to our racing, scheduled world? We believe these to be questions worth exploring.

Learning Objectives

• To demonstrate an understanding of Sabbath in the Judeo-Christian tradition
• To consider the Sabbath theme of memory (remember)
• To appraise the role of Sabbath in contemporary Christian living

Resources Supplemental Books (not required, but suggested for further reading)  

• Baab, Lynn (2005). Sabbath Keeping: Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest. IVP Press.
• Brueggamenn, Walter. (2014) Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now. Westminster John Knoxx Press.
• Muller, Wayne (2000). Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives. Bantam Books.
• Shaper, Donna (1999). Sabbath Keeping. Crowley Publications.
• Weems, Renita (2000). Listening for God: A Minister’s Journey through Silence and Doubt. Touchstone.